The Cleveland 2016 Host Committee and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA), along with Skyline Investments announced today the arrival of seven local retailers to the historic Cleveland Arcade at 401 Euclid Ave., that will set up temporary storefronts during the Republican National Convention.

Officials hope that the stores will become permanent Arcade tenants after the convention activity is over, says Michael Deemer, executive vice president of business development for DCA.

“It’s very exciting because we’ll have the Arcade more active in retail as any time in recent memory,” he says. “Our hope is because of the strong residential population growth, workforce traffic and visitors during the convention, we’ll be able to persuade [the retailers] to make the Arcade their permanent home.”

Retailers setting up temporary storefronts include J3 Clothing Company from Moreland Hills, Cleveland in a Box, CLEan scented soaps, 216 Gallery, the Hidden Closet from Chagrin Falls, the Powder Room from Woodmere and Monica Potter Home from Garrettsville. They'll be offering up everything from Mrs. Potters Bear Oil to gift boxes full up with CLE sports fan merch.

Deemer says the convention serves as a timely vehicle for attracting these local retailers to the downtown area. “It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to have not just 50,000 visitors to Cleveland, but the eyes of the national media will see what downtown has to offer,” he says. “But they [retailers] also see the same numbers we do, with 41,000 residents and an aggregate household income of $884 million in the downtown trade area. It’s a tremendous opportunity.”

Additionally, Rising Star Coffee, Daydreams & Tea and Pizza 216 recently opened permanent locations in the Arcade and two others –  Rose’s Braai and Boney Fingers BBQ – are about to open their doors.

“All together, there are 16 retailers in the Arcade,” says Deemer. “We’re approaching capacity, with one vacancy on the upper level and a handful of vacancies on the lower level.”

Valarie McCall, Cleveland’s chief of government and international affairs, president and CEO of the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee David Gilbert, president and CEO of DCA Joe Marinucci, vice president of asset management for Skyline Investments Mark Goldberg, and Monica Potter of Monica Potter Home were on hand to make today’s announcement.

After the event, the new tenants then opened their doors to visitors to the Arcade.